Jan. 13, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball’s participation in the SEC-sponsored “We Back Pat” Week will be an extension of an effort to raise awareness for Alheimer’s that the Gamecocks began in October when they took part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Finlay Park. In Sunday’s game against No. 9/8 Kentucky, South Carolina will bring even more awareness to the disease and the Pat Summitt Foundation.
The Gamecocks will wear special shooting shirts for the game, and special in-game PSAs and other information will help fans learn more about the disease, for which there is currently no cure, and the many Americans affected by it.
South Carolina women’s basketball already raised over $8,000 dollars from its October Walk, and fans can still contribute to that effort. The Gamecocks’ team, which was named “4 Coach Summitt,” worked with the Alzheimer’s Association to keep its team page active for contributions through the end of January. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley hopes to present Pat Summitt with a $20,000 check for the Alzheimer’s Association when the Gamecocks take on the Lady Vols on Thu., Feb. 2
Fans can contribute to the Gamecocks’ fundraising efforts by going to the “4 Coach Summitt” team page at walktoendalz.kintera.org/columbiasc/4coachsummitt.
During the week of January 15-22, all SEC member institutions will support the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund during their home basketball games. During the 17 women’s and 12 men’s games slated for the week, various efforts will be made to increase awareness of the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund. Twenty of these games will be televised.
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund launched November 27, 2011 by Pat Summitt after her diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type at the age of 59.
The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund will make grants to nonprofits that provide:
• Education and awareness of Alzheimer’s, its onset and treatment
• Support services to patients, their families and caregivers
• Research to treat, prevent, cure, and ultimately eradicate this disease
About The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund
Pat Summitt and her supporters have entrusted The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to facilitate the charitable work of The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund. The Fund was established to support Pat Summitt’s dream of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.patsummitt.org.
About The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees more than 800 charitable funds. In the past twenty years, The Community Foundation has distributed $530 million to community programs and institutions. It is located at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, #400, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.
